The 1968 constitution intended that citizens should have every opportunity
to participate fully in revising their constitution through the revision
commission process. For example, it requires public hearings, which the
1978 commission interpreted broadly, and makes no requirement that any of
the 37 members be lawyers (except for the attorney general). In fact, many
of the 1978 members were nonlawyers, including physicians, labor officials,
and community leaders.

Opportunities to Participate

Beginning now . . .

Study the constitution and related issues. We have provided a list of recommended
readings that are widely available at public and other libraries around
the state.

Until the Constitution Revision Commission is organized, you can submit
your ideas to the Collins Center for Public Policy. Contact:

Dr. Mark Pritchett, Vice President

Collins Center for Public Policy

Cawthon House, Florida State University

Post Office Box 1658

Tallahassee, Florida 32302-1658

904-644-1441 (fax) 904-644-1442

E-mail: mpritche@garnet.acns.fsu.edu

After organization of the Constitution Revision Commission . . .

Consider submitting position papers and draft proposals to the commission,
contact organizations you belong to or support to consider submitting proposals,
or form your own group.

Contact the commission staff to find out how you can directly communicate
with individual commission members.

When hearings begin in 1997 . . .

Contact the commission staff or look for announcements in local media for
times and locations of the commission's public hearings.

Consider making your own presentation and encourage others to testify at
the commission's hearings. The purpose of these hearings, after all, is
to gauge public opinion about problems and solutions.

Communicate in writing your views on proposals.

After the commission drafts amendments in later 1997 and early 1998 . .
.

Attend the additional hearings held by the commission to hear public comments
on proposals.

Communicate in writing your views on the proposals drafted by the commissioners.

Between May and November 1998 . . .

Study the proposed constitutional amendments, discuss the issues in your
community, get involved in campaign efforts to make your viewpoint count
on election day, November 3, 1998.

Because people do not change their constitutions lightly, the people of
Florida must come to understand the revision commission process and must
be prepared to consider the kind of fundamental changes that may result
from the process, if constitutional revision is to succeed.